by Thomas Rath
“They will be taking the road through the Dedrik Forest on their way to Calandra,” he had explained. “When they stop for the night, deep in the woods, we will be there to greet them and get Dor. This way they don’t have to know about you and we won’t have to go through all the questioning and hassle to get him released.”
Thane quickly saw the logic to it and apologized for ever doubting him, although it didn’t seem like his style to steal Dor without first sharing a mug with Wess. Jack laughed halfheartedly at Thane’s observation. “Heaven forbid, but you must be rubbing off onto me.”
For the first hours following the announcement that they were quitting the fort, Jack and Thane had done what they could to assist in the packing and organization for the move. Benfer, the pub master, was in tears over the whole thing complaining about all the money he was going to lose. In his state of distress, he pulled out thirty bottles of his finest mead, which meant it wasn’t watered, and offered some to Jack who readily accepted. When offered to Thane though, the only response he got was a snort and an upturned nose.
When all seemed to be moving at a quick and orderly pace, Jack and Thane gathered their own things and headed for the stables where Wess was stationed giving out orders and resolving any concerns about what should be brought and what should be left behind.
“Jack,” Wess bellowed above the roar, “I’m glad you’re still here. Have you gotten anything from the armory yet?”
“Well, no. We didn’t know you were giving anything away.”
“There’s more there than we can possibly take with us. Go over and take what you want and then hurry back. I got three horses for you.”
That news brought a smile to both Jack and Thane and they rushed to the armory to see what treasures they could find. Thane, of course, wanted a new bow and a dagger, but under the close scrutiny of the armor master, Jack pulled him over to the sabers, which were a Tjal-Dihn’s weapon of choice. Thane feigned a master’s eye at the weapons and then took two swords that Jack pointed out. He was then allowed a pick from the bows and daggers, which he perused with true wisdom. He finally retrieved a fine, dual edged, straight dagger and a steel bow, the likes of which he had never seen before. A full quiver of silver tipped arrows swung ready at his waist and a light, mail shirt, at Jack’s insistence, clanged softly under his tunic. Jack also donned a mail shirt and a heavy pair of gauntlets but steered clear of the great rack of swords, grabbing only a long dagger on their way out.
“Why do you force me to carry all of this extra weight in weapons I know next to nothing about when you carry only a dagger,” Thane asked as they exited the armory and headed back across the compound to the stables.
“I, my friend, do not have to appear or act as a Tjal-Dihn, and I have my own sword that far outshines any they might have in that collection.”
Before Thane could make anymore objections, they were once again entering the stables. Wess stood off to the side in what appeared to be a heated discussion with one of his men over some foodstuffs when he caught sight of his newly armored friends. Waving them over, he quickly ended his conversation and called to one of the stable hands to bring out the horses he had asked for earlier.
“Well,” he said with a smile, “I see that you have geared up well at the expense of his royal highness. Good. Better you have it then it be left here to rust. Plus, now if you don’t show up in Calandra, I can turn you in for thievery.”
Jack laughed heartily along with Wess but Thane frowned deeply, not sure he found any humor in such a statement.
“Now,” Wess continued, “let’s see if we can’t get you to Haykon on the wind.”
Just then three solid black horses were brought from their stables dressed out in full gear. All three were bobbing their heads and snorting as if anxious for the road. Thane breathed in awe at the beasts still not completely over his fascination with such majestic looking creatures.
“I can see that our Tjal-Dihn friend approves,” Wess said with a broad smile. “Well, he should, they come from fine Enn stock.”
“They’re beautiful Wess,” Jack said shaking his head. “But we can’t take these.”
“Sure you can Jack. Listen, you have a greater need of speed right now. You know how slow a march of this many solders can be. Just bring them back to me at Calandra, with the weapons,” he added with another smile, “or it will be another price added to your thick head.”
Jack bowed in mock respect and was handed the horses’ reigns. Three men entered the stables squabbling over something that demanded Wess’ immediate attention. Wess quickly calmed them and then turned back to Jack. “As you can see,” he said, motioning to the still fighting men, “I am not allowed a proper send off. Good speed my friend,” he said with a sigh while extending his hand. “I’ll look for you in Calandra.”
“And you, Wess,” Jack answered clasping his hand. “Until night calls the raven.”
Wess smiled broadly and nodded his head. “Until night calls the raven.”
Thane watched them in confusion deciding it not worth his time to try and understand what they were talking about and just followed Jack quietly out of the stables. He had enough to worry about right now. Like, how was he going to ride a horse like a master in front of all these men when the closest thing he had ever come to one was Erl?
Jack saw the worried expression on his face and as if reading his mind, smiled. “Don’t worry,” he whispered. “We can’t mount our horses until we’re outside the gate. Too many people running around in the way.”
A great wave of relief washed over him. Even though he found the horses extremely beautiful, he still felt a bit apprehensive about climbing on top of one and letting it carry him to who knew where. Jack reminded him over and over of his rides on Erl assuring him it was the same thing only higher, but Thane was still not willing to be convinced.
They hurried to get their goods loaded onto the extra horse and were then ready to depart. Jack voiced a few short goodbyes to passing friends and then they quickly cleared the gates and were outside. Thane sighed heavily, feeling great relief now that they were finally free of the fort. He suddenly realized how taxing it had been for him to be enclosed within the large, stone walls constantly on his guard for fear of being discovered. Never again did he want to be trapped like that. A gentle breeze mingled with the scent of grass and flowers lightly touched his face seeming to lend him strength. He inhaled deeply clearing his mind of the fog that had unknowingly settled there and felt an intense desire to run free through the forests behind them. He looked around expectantly for any sign of Erl, finding that he missed the wolg, but saw nothing that would lead him to believe that he was anywhere close. Where had he been all of this time? Thane envied the freedom enjoyed by the giant wolf and looked forward to seeing him again. A slight creak of leather jerked his mind back to the present and he looked up at Jack who sat casually upon his horse staring down at him.
“Well?” Jack said motioning to the empty saddle.
Thane looked at the horse curiously before realizing what he was inferring. His eyes widened considerably as he shook his head, suddenly filled with fearful apprehension. “I don’t think I can do it,” he whispered.
“Just get on like I showed you,” Jack said quietly before looking over his shoulder. “Do you want him to start thinking you aren’t what you say you are?”
Thane followed his friend’s eyes back to the gate guard who stood watching them intently. “What I say I am? You mean what you told everyone I am.”
“Let’s not get into that here, Thane. Just put your foot in the stirrup and hop on.”
“Couldn’t I just run along side? I’m a very good runner and actually I could use a bit of...”
“Thane.” Jack looked down sternly and motioned him towards the horse. “We’re almost away. Don’t blow it now. Plus, you need to get used to riding if you’re going to live as a Tjal-Dihn. You’re going to have to pull it off until we get back to the mountains. That is unle
ss you want me to cut off the tops of those ears.”
Thane gave him a scorching look. He couldn’t help it if HuMans were scared of his race. Cut off his ear. He should cut out his tongue. He looked at the horse next to him and placed a weary hand gently on its neck. “Now, you be a good boy.” Reluctantly, he placed his foot in the metal ring and prepared for the worst. Closing his eyes and saying a quick prayer, he sprang on his leg and pulled himself up and over. Before he knew it, it was all over and he was sitting in the saddle. Opening his eyes, he took quick stock of his surroundings and then looked at Jack with a beaming smile for having done it on his first try. His smile quickly faded though when he noticed his friend was laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
Jack put a hand over his mouth in a poor attempt at trying to control himself. Finally, he squeaked out, “Nothing, you just got up on the wrong side. That guard over there is probably going to think that this is some kind of Tjal trick to better riding and soon, I’m sure, the whole countryside will be mounting their horses from the right.” Jack burst into another fit of laughter while Thane turned to look at the gatekeeper who stood gawking with his mouth dropped wide open.
“Humph,” Thane snorted. “Laugh all you want. After all, maybe it really is a Tjal trick.” And with that, he kicked his horse’s flanks. In his anger, though, his kick was a little stronger than he had intended. Suddenly, he was thrown backwards as the horse shot out in a thundering burst of speed. He grabbed for anything he could to regain his balance as his head hit hard against the horse’s rump. It was a wonder he wasn’t thrown completely off. Using all his strength, he pressed his legs hard against the horse’s shoulders and pulled himself up using almost nothing but his stomach muscles. Grasping a large clump of hair, he pulled himself forward and wrapped his arms tightly around its neck as it stormed ahead as if chased by death itself.
Jack’s laughter stopped abruptly. Giving his own horse a good kick he rushed forward swearing and praying in the same breath that he would catch up to Thane before he killed himself. At least he’s headed in the right direction.
After regaining his balance, Thane searched his mind frantically for the instructions Jack had given him only days before of what to do in such a situation. He briefly thought of jumping off but knew, as the thought disappeared, that doing so would only get him mangled in a shower of pounding hooves or broken up on the hard ground that had become a blur beneath him. Pressing his head against the horse’s neck, he squinted against the rushing wind that was quickly forming tears in his eyes and fogging his vision. Though frightened for his life, he couldn’t help but marvel at the grace and power the horse displayed as it tore along the countryside throwing dirt and grass into the air behind them.
A leather thong brought Thane back to reality as it whipped violently against his face marking his cheek with a quick forming welt. He ducked another attack and then followed it around to where it seemed to be attached to the horse’s mouth. He could almost hear Jack’s voice in his head saying pull the... Now what was that thing called? Grains? Brains? Pains? Reins! Thane looked around in surprise. That was Jack’s voice! Looking briefly over his shoulder he caught a glimpse of his friend chasing after him yelling, “Pull on the reins!”
Thane felt the sting of the leather thong as it slapped his other cheek and the memory rushed back to him. Those are the reins. Pull the reins to stop. He steadied himself as the thong came around again. This time it did not hit its mark, but instead, found itself caught tightly in Thane’s grip. He smiled brightly looking back at Jack with the reins held high in his hand to show he had caught them. But, before he had a chance to pull, the horse suddenly dug its hooves deeply into the soft, thawing ground and sent a shower of mud and grass shooting wildly into the air as the horse came to an almost immediate halt. Thane found himself sailing forward darting over his mount’s head in a twist of arms and legs, a cry of terror escaping his lips. All too quickly, his body met the wet ground with a sickening splat that knocked the breath out of him and sent him sliding forward through the slick grass where he finally came to a stop about twenty feet away.
He lay still for a long moment trying to regain his breath while taking stock of any injuries he might have suffered. Thankfully, all seemed in order, save for a few scratches and bruises. He would just have to lie still and wait painfully for proper function to return to his lungs. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, he found himself set upon by a large headed beast that attacked him with a slobbery wet tongue. Still fighting for every breath, he was not able to fight off his attacker and a new fear encased him that he might soon be eaten alive by whatever was tasting him so frantically. He tried to fight it off but between his lungs struggling for air and the size of his attacker he was not getting very far. Jack’s jovial laugh pierced through the horror of the moment fueling Thane with anger and new strength. How could his friend laugh at such a time when his life was obviously in danger?
Seeing Thane’s apparent distress, Jack called out and the tongue lashing stopped. “Erl, come on boy. I think our friend has had enough.”
Thane opened his eyes in disbelief only to be greeted by Erl’s shaggy face which he thought for sure was turned up in a playful smile. “Erl, it’s you,” he breathed sitting up painfully while trying to wipe some of the dripping saliva from his face. The giant wolg danced around playfully as if still a tiny pup desperately wanting to play. Thane watched him, unable to contain his own smile, as Erl ran in tight circles around them.
Looking up at Jack, he queried, “What happened?”
Jack laughed. “When you turned so proudly to show that you finally had a hold of the reins, Erl burst out from the weeds and shot in front of the horse.” He laughed harder, remembering the spectacle. “And, as you have discovered, horses don’t take much to wolgs, yours being no exception. When it saw Erl it stopped dead in place.”
Thane’s face turned sour, obviously not seeing the humor.
Jack sobered as best he could. “Well, you know the rest. You fell off…” he said holding back a snicker, “and well, Erl here came to see that you were all right. I would have been here sooner but I had to catch your horse before it bolted.” Jack’s horse whinnied as if in conformation, its eyes rolling back in fright at the wolg that was lying at Thane’s feet his tail wagging vigorously.
Thane only nodded glad to be back on the ground even though it was a bit painful getting off. “Well, thanks Erl,” he said rubbing the wolg’s head, “but I think I had it under control.”
“Sure you did,” Jack laughed again and then quickly sobered. “Actually, it is lucky you weren’t killed. I can see we have a few more lessons to go before you pass yourself off as Tjal to anyone while you’re sitting on a horse.”
Thane only sneered at his friend while trying hopelessly to fight off the frantic lick bath Erl had suddenly felt the need to start up again.
After a short rest and another tongue bath, this time for Jack, the reunited trio was once again on its way toward their planned destination. Feeling they had traveled far enough in the short run Thane had taken them on, they took a sharp left heading west straight for the Dedrik Forest.
When within its cover they continued on slowly, picking their way carefully through the scattered brush that dotted the forest floor and ducking often under the low hanging branches. More than once, Thane’s Dihne caught on a tree limb and was ripped annoyingly from his head forcing them to stop while he retrieved and then replaced it. Quickly tiring from the ordeal and suddenly feeling pain in his rear end from sitting so long, he dropped to the ground and led his horse instead.
He felt a surge of renewal cascade through his mind and body as he walked among the trees and shrubbery. Too long he had been away from the peace and harmony only found deep within the forest. He stretched out his senses to engulf all around him taking in deeply the fresh scents in the air that cleaned out his lungs and energized his soul. He listened to the life that surrounded them, the chirping birds, the calling
squirrels, the rustling leaves that sang in the wind above. He noticed the ants that worked tirelessly as they got an early start collecting food for the far off winter. He touched a tree next to him and felt the life force that radiated from it, the growth it experienced, and its healthy core free from any impurities. Stretching even further, he thought he could feel the entire forest to its most tiny and minute detail sensing the complete symmetry that existed around them. He felt the struggles of life that occurred, the last twists of a worm caught by a mother bird to feed her young, the beetle that gave up its life to an army of ants, the berries that fed a new born faun. Nature was left to carry out her purposes. The great circle was left unbroken or disrupted. All was right within these woods. All was as it should be.
At midday, they broke out of the woods and into a small clearing that seemed blessed from the heavens with a few rays of sunlight that penetrated the clouds and cascaded down to the forest floor. Small patches of purple flowers dotted the grassy area adding a breathtaking snap of color that fed on the small bit of welcomed sunshine brushing up against them. Jack tethered the horses together, allowing them plenty of room to graze while Thane rummaged through their packs in search of food. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until he remembered that in all the morning fuss, he hadn’t had any breakfast.
In no time, he and Jack were sitting quietly, devouring their meal of corn bread, cheese and apples while Erl rushed into the woods in search of something a bit fresher. Neither said much, concentrating instead on their food as if in a hurry to quell their hunger pangs.
After chasing down his corn bread with a splash of water, Thane finally broke the silence. “How long do you think it will be until the others catch up to us?”
“Oh, it won’t be until nightfall, I’m sure,” Jack answered accepting the water skin Thane passed over. After taking a deep swallow he continued. “We have to go a bit deeper still though before we reach the spot where they’ll stop. Then it’s just a matter of sneaking into camp unseen and getting your friend out.”